Blackhawks vs. Wild: Who has the edge?

Stanley Cup playoffs: Western Conference quarterfinals

April 28, 2013|By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter

Wild forward Zach Parise. (Brace Hemmelgarn/ USA Today Sports photo)

Offense

The Hawks roll four lines and finished second in the NHL with an average of 3.10 goals per game. Center Dave Bolland is battling a groin injury, but if he's at full strength, a shift back to the third line could be in order as Michal Handzus has fit in well between Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp on the second line. The top line of Jonathan Toews centering Brandon Saad and Marian Hossa is among the NHL's best as it controls the puck. Viktor Stalberg has exceptional speed and that makes him dangerous while Bryan Bickell is a big body with a wicked wrist shot. The fourth line is a mixture of some scoring potential and grit.

On the back end, Duncan Keith and Nick Leddy are puck movers and Brent Seabrook has been effective stepping into the play.

A season-ending shoulder injury to winger Dany Heatley put a crimp in the Wild's offense and the potential absence of Jason Pominville (upper body) is a concern, but Minnesota has some weapons. It ranked 22nd in the league with 2.46 goals per game behind Zach Parise (18 goals, 20 assists) and Mikko Koivu (11, 26). Matt Cullen and Devin Setoguchi are capable of making big plays, but the Wild doesn't want to get into a track meet with the Hawks and would prefer low-scoring games.

Norris Trophy candidate Ryan Suter activates the Wild offense and finished as their third-leading scorer with four goals and 28 assists.

EDGE: Hawks

Defense

The summer additions and strong play of veteran Sheldon Brookbank and Michal Rozsival have given the Hawks their deepest blue line in recent seasons. When coach Joel Quenneville mixed up the pairings April 1 to separate Keith and Seabrook, an already strong defense group became that much more potent. Leddy has come into his own and despite some struggles down the stretch, Johnny Oduya is a solid blueliner with experience. Niklas Hjalmarsson excels at blocking shots and can come up with big hits. The Hawks allowed the fewest goals in the league this season.

The Wild finished tied for 15th by allowing 2.60 goals per game but have perhaps the top defenseman in the league in Suter. The 13-year, $98 million free-agent contract they gave Suter has paid off as he has been stellar at both ends of the ice.

Minnesota also features an up-and-coming star in Jonas Brodin, who, after being paired with Suter, is in the mix for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.

The No. 2 pairing of Clayton Stoner and Jared Spurgeon is not flashy, but they play solid at the blue line and will be looking to neutralize the Hawks' speed.

EDGE: Hawks

Goaltending

No tandem has been as effective as Corey Crawford and Ray Emery. They have kept the Hawks in nearly every game this season and are poised to capture the Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals in a season. After not recording a shutout in 82 games last season, the duo combined for seven — tied for most in the NHL. Emery missed games down the stretch with a lower-body injury, but it is not considered serious. Crawford has been strong to claim the No. 1 job in the postseason.

Niklas Backstrom is a workhorse, who started 41 of the Wild's 48 games. The veteran's 24 wins tied for the most in the league and Backstrom has the capability to steal a game on his own. He had two shutouts during the season.

Josh Harding was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in October but has worked his way back into the backup role behind Backstrom.

EDGE: Hawks

Special teams

After struggling for much of the season, the Hawks' power play showed signs of life in with four goals over the final six games of the season. They finished 19th in the league with a 16.7 percent success rate. With Patrick Sharp healthy after missing significant time with a left shoulder injury and often playing on the point, the Hawks can break out on the power play.

The penalty kill has been one of the Hawks' strong suits all season and allowed just two power-play goals in the last 20 games. Michael Frolik and Marcus Kruger, Hjalmarsson and Oduya have been exceptional in that role.

The Wild fared slightly better on the power play as a team as they were 16th with a 17.9 percent success rate. Parise (seven power-play goals) and Setoguchi (five) are dangerous with the advantage and Spurgeon chipped in four scores from the back end.

On the kill, the Wild were 18th in the NHL with an 80.7 percent success rate and managed only one short-handed goal during the regular season.